My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead — what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too.
Life.
I got boosted! I’m happy that I got my booster shot, but lost about two days to mild side effects. Kind of sucky at the time (aches, chills, fever), but it’s for the greater good, so what’s two days?
On the bright side, spending two days in bed and/or cuddled up under cozy blankets drinking tea gave me extra time to read.
What did I read during the last week?
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca: The 3rd book in the Well Met series, a really fun interwoven set of love stories with the local Renaissance Faire as the connecting theme. My review is here.
You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao: This YA novel was a complete miss for me. A story of loss and moving on, it follows a teen-aged girl whose boyfriend dies in a car accident, yet finds a way to continue speaking to him through her cell phone. The premise sounded promising, but the plot itself is messy and illogical, and there are too many elements that just don’t work. I didn’t end up writing a review, but this would be a 2-star read for me at best.
The Sweetest Remedy by Jane Igharo: This, on the other hand, is a 5-star read! I love this story of finding family and connection. My review is here.
Pop culture & TV:
As a fan of (most of) The Vampire Diaries, I perked up when I saw a movie starring Nina Dobrev pop on on Netflix. So yeah, I watched it, and it was… not good. But hey, maybe I’m just a grinch who doesn’t enjoy Christmas-themed love stories! (No, that’s probably not it, but I’m trying to give this movie the benefit of the doubt.)
I did finish Only Murders in the Building this week, and loved it. I also got out of the house to go see Dune in IMAX (my 2nd viewing, but first in an actual movie theater), and loved being able to see it full-scale and with an amazing sound system.
Fresh Catch:
I wasn’t going to buy any books this week… and then I discovered that the special 25th anniversary edition of Drums of Autumn was just released! Obviously, I couldn’t resist.
What will I be reading during the coming week?
Currently in my hands:
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman: I haven’t gotten all that far yet, but so far, I’m intrigued by this dark story about magical families sending representatives to fight to the death in a tournament that determines who controls magic. At least, that’s what I think the story is about — I’m only about three chapters in, and it’s not completely clear to me! Basically, Hunger Games with magic… maybe?
Now playing via audiobook:
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean: This is a really sweet, fun twist on the “I’m actually a princess!” trope — Japanese-American high school student Izumi discovers that she’s the secret illegitimate daughter of the Crown Prince of Japan, and is suddenly swept up in a whirlwind of court manners and royal luxury as she meets her father for the first time and must learn what it means to be part of his family. I’ve listened to about 40%, and I’m really enjoying it.
Ongoing reads:
- Outlander Book Club is doing a speed-re-read of Written in My Own Heart’s Blood, #8 in the Outlander series. We’re reading and discussing 5 chapters per week. This week: Chapters 136- 140. Two weeks to go… just in time for the release of Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.
- Doctor Zhivago is our group classic read, two chapters per week. I’m keeping up… barely.
So many books, so little time…
Bookshelf Fantasies 
Oh no, I’m planning on reading You’ve Reached Sam this week! Hopefully I love it.
I hope you do too! I’d love to hear what you think. I saw that it had some high ratings on Goodreads, so clearly it works for some readers!
I just read a glowing review of All of us Villains and decided to download it from Netgalley which in hindsight was stupid because it comes out tomorrow, lol. Hope you end up enjoying it!
I wrote this blog post mid-day yesterday, and basically could not put the book down since then! I’m at about 70% now… but unfortunately, it’s a workday, because otherwise I’d curl up with the book and read straight through to the end. In other words — I’m loving it!
Enjoy your reading!
Thanks! You too!
I can not wait to watch that movie!
Haha, it’s very cute in a Xmas-movie sort of way. Hope you like it!